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| Question |
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| Are pre-packed food products required to be labelled? | |
| Answer |
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| Yes. All pre-packed food products for sale in Singapore are required to be labelled in accordance with the requirements of the Food Regulations. | |
| Question |
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| What basic labelling information should appear on a food label? | |
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The following basic information should be given on a food label in English:
- common name or description of food;
- complete statement of ingredients;
- volume or net weight;
- name and address of:
local manufacturer, packer or vendor (for locally manufactured food); or local importer, distributor or agent (for imported food); and
- the name of the country of origin (for imported food).
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| Question |
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| What are the types of pre-packed food products that are required to be date-marked with the expiry date? | |
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The types of pre-packed food products that are required to be date-marked with the expiry date include:
- short shelf-life food products (e.g. dairy products, vitaminised/pasteurised fruit and vegetable juices/juice drinks);
- chilled food products*;
- infants' food;
- edible cooking oil;
- flour, etc.
* If the validity of the date-mark of any pre-packed food is dependent on the storage conditions (for example, chilled food), the storage direction of that food shall also be stated on the label.
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| How should date marking be shown on food labels? | |
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The date marking should be shown in one of the following manner:
- USE BY (insert dd/mm/yy)
- SELL BY (insert dd/mm/yy)
- EXPIRY DATE (insert dd/mm/yy)
- BEST BEFORE (insert dd/mm/yy)
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| Question |
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| When is nutrition labelling required on food labels? | |
| Answer |
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| Nutrition labelling is required when a nutrition claim is made. The nutrition label is presented in the form of a nutrition information panel (NIP). The information to be declared in the NIP includes energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate (4 core nutrients). The declaration of other nutrients is optional, but is mandatory when such nutrients are the subject of a nutrition claim. | |
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| What constitutes a nutrition claim? | |
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| A nutrition claim is a representation that suggests or implies that a food has a nutritive property, whether in general or specific and whether expressed affirmatively or negatively. For example, "Source of protein", "High in fibre", "Low in fat", "Cholesterol free" and "Sugar free". | |
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| What statements or claims are considered misleading and are prohibited for use in food labels and advertisements (including promotional leaflets and mass media)? | |
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The following are some examples of misleading statements or claims that are prohibited to be used in food labels and advertisements.
- A claim that a food has therapeutic or prophylactic properties, or implies in any way that it can prevent, alleviate or cure any disease or condition affecting the human body. For example, "Effective in preventing or curing cancer", "Lower the blood pressure" and "For longevity".
- A claim that could be interpreted as advice of a medical nature from any person. For example, "Strongly recommended by doctors".
- A claim that a food can improve health, physical condition or performance. For example, "A runner can run faster after consuming the food".
- A claim that a food, which is intended for, babies is equivalent or superior to the milk of a healthy mother.
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